A Buddhist monastery near Honiton has won planning approval for three meditation huts in its grounds.

The application by the Hartridge monastery in Luppitt went before East Devon District Council's planning committee this afternoon (Wednesday, September 1) and was unanimously supported.

The three huts, known as kutis, will be placed on the lower eastern side of fields owned by the monastery, alongside a woodland area, and will be used by the resident monks for meditation.

A report to the committee said there would be no discernible impact on the landscape, and also noted that 'the monks are engaged with the wider community through activities such as teaching engagements, residential stays, counselling, school groups, meditation classes, etc and as such their presence can be considered to give rise to some social benefits'.

The proposal had to go before the committee because it represents a change of use for the land which is not explicitly permitted by a Local or Neighbourhood Plan policy.

However, councillors were all too happy to support it, with Cllr Philip Skinner revealing that he had studied Buddhism for many years, and had sometimes found it 'really difficult' to find a suitable place for meditation, with peace and quiet.

He described the site of the huts as a 'wonderful location' and a 'peaceful place' and gave the plan his full support.

Cllr Tony Woodward said: "One of the great joys of being on this planning committee is that you find out about things you didn't know before. I had no idea that this was here – it's a a great joy to know that it is there, it is in line with our mental health aspirations for East Devon, and a great example of what can be shown for our local residents to know it's there and to enjoy."